Clients

Therapy is all about relationship. As renowned psychologist Carl Rogers said: “In my early professionals years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?” He came to understand the foundation of therapy is not the technique the therapist employs to change the client but the relationship the therapist helps to create that allows the client to work through challenges and grow.

Relationships are built through trust, mutual understanding, boundaries and respect. As a therapist as well as though out the entire healthcare field some of these issues are addressed through the forms you fill out and the laws healthcare providers must make you aware of.

Therapy is about you. What you think. What you feel. What you believe. It is about what you want to change about your life today and how you envision your life in the future. As a Therapist I believe that all of my clients are their own expert. You intuitively know when you are stuck. And you will know if I am giving you the right tools to help you get unstuck. As therapy moves forward, honest communication is the key to staying on track to helping you achieve your goals.

Where do I begin?

Therapy starts where ever you want to start. The more I know about your history and how you believe you have found yourself in your current situation, the more I can help. By sharing your expectations of therapy and asking questions of me, you will see that you have a partner in healing. Together we will identify your strengths and some areas that could use some improvement. Together we will create goals and a plan of action. Through this process, we begin building a relationship of trust and respect that will allow you to work through the difficult issues that have kept you stuck in your current situation.

Scheduling Appointments

In order to be effective, therapy should take place on a regular weekly basis. Sessions generally last about an hour. The initial session can take up 75 minutes. Payment is expected at the time of each session by either check, cash, Mastercard or Visa. Missed appointments without 24 hours prior notice are charged a $55 fee.

About Insurance

I am a provider for most insurance companies. In the articles section you may want to read more about what it means to use your insurance and the limitations imposed by managed care companies. In order to bill your insurance company I am required to provide a mental disorder diagnosis. This diagnosis will become part of your medical record. I cannot assure this information will be kept confidential by your insurance company. Information about current insurance use and diagnosis may have an effect on future insurance coverage and use. The decision to use your insurance benefits is completely yours. The service provided will be of the same standard and quality regardless of your payment method.

Confidentiality

In general your Personal Health Information is protected by Federal Law 42CFR part 2 and the Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act.

There are certain circumstances when your therapist is legally required to disclose your confidential information.

Those situations include:

When there is a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or elder abuse

When a client has made a threat against a victim they identified

When a client is suicidal or at risk of self-harm

When a client is at risk of harming another person unless protective measures are taken

When required by certain legal proceedings.

The use of e-mail, phone and fax and other forms of technology cannot be protected with a 100% guarantee. I will e-mail or text client at their request.

In order to bill insurance I do use a third part to provide that service. She has worked for me for many years. She has a signed confidentiality contract to maintain the security of your personal information. However, in order to bill insurance companies, we are more frequently required to do that online as opposed to ending in paper billing through the mail. Any and all billing questions and concerns will get forwarded to my billing manager.

I generally do not save copies of e-mails on my computer. If the e-mail appeared clinically relevant, I will make a copy and place it in your file. At this time I do not use a paperless office. I do maintain progress notes and other documents in a paper file. Current files are kept in a lock file cabinet in my Arkansas office. All close files are archived securely at Anchor Archives in Crystal Beach Florida. Although those who may request a copy of a closed file may experience a delay in receiving that information, I believe this process is the best way to maintain your confidentiality.

I am happy to answer any questions you many have regarding the policies stated above or any policy found on this website.

To the right are some articles that can be of interest for someone new to the process of therapy or for someone who would like to know more about how I approach the therapeutic process